Charleston Women in International Trade (CWIT) Woman of the Year, Barbara Melvin is an exceptional leader in the maritime industry. Barbara is presently the Senior Vice President of External Affairs at the South Carolina Ports Authority. She is a seasoned leader with more than 16 years of service to the port and she is one of five senior vice presidents. Barbara provides oversight to all government relations activities, public relations, community and environmental affairs for the organization.

Prior joining the port in 1998, Barbara was Director of Government Relations for the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, where she also lobbied on the port's behalf to the state legislature. She previously served as a policy analyst for the Georgia Governor's Office of Planning and Budget. Barbara is a member of the South Carolina Advisory Council of the United States Global Leadership Coalition and serves on the Public Policy Committee of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. She formerly served on the board for Communities in Schools and the South Carolina Maritime Foundation and is a Liberty Fellow.

Working hand-in-hand with local, state and federal officials and lawmakers, Barbara's achievements impact international trade by advancing trade policy, securing port-related project funding, establishing tax incentives for South Carolina shippers, ensuring new legislation protects the interests of businesses involved in international trade in our state, spearheading the port's efforts to deepen Charleston Harbor, and most recently, coordinating support for the port's expansion to the Upstate at the S.C. Inland Port, which opened in October 2013. All of these projects create additional economic investments, or more clearly stated, create job opportunities for South Carolinians.

CWIT is also proud to award three scholarships this year, totaling $9,000. One scholarship will be awarded to a high school student and two scholarships will be awarded to present college attendees. CWIT is honored to help contribute to the continuing education of these bright and deserving students.

This year CWIT will award two $4,000 education scholarships to deserving current college students. One scholarship will go to Robert Hare, College of Charleston (Class of 2016). Robert is a former US Navy Reserves whose major is International Business / Global Logistics and Transportation. The other $4,000 scholarship will be awarded to Victoria Ward, College of Charleston (Class of 2015). Victoria's major is in International Business with minors in both Economics and French Language.

One $1,000 “Rising Star” scholarship will be awarded to a current high school senior. CWIT is pleased to award this to Phillip Habib, who is currently attending Stratford High School and will be attending Wofford College.

The award recipients will be honored at CWIT's 12th Annual Soiree on April 8 at Founders Hall, Charles Towne Landing. Cocktails, networking and entertainment will start at 6 p.m. and the dinner program at 7 p.m. – catered by CRU Catering. Tickets are $70.

Please come celebrate the fabulous Woman of the Year and scholarship recipients with CWIT, non-members are more than welcome. To RSVP online or see the listing of our many wonderful sponsors please visit www.cwitsc.org.

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